School of Public Policy and Leadership News
The School of Public Policy and Leadership employs an interdisciplinary approach to create knowledge and understanding to support effective policy and governance through collaborations of faculty, students, and the greater community. Our programs enable students to master the key principles of public management, research, and public policy so they can spark change, improvement, and resiliency in communities.
Current Public Policy and Leadership News
The newest Rebel grads reflect on their time at UNLV and share what the future holds.
At the UNLV School of Social Work, this professional programs manager helps students navigate college through connection and mentorship.
UNLV’s commencement tradition highlights exceptional students who embody the highest level of academic excellence and community involvement.
Alumna Ashley Pruitt credits Doctorate of Public Policy degree for teaching her how to reach legislators — and their constituents.
The Doctor of Public Policy prepares students to develop policy decisions for a growing state
Some of the biggest news headlines featuring UNLV faculty and students.
Public Policy and Leadership In The News
Though many people in Nevada live in food deserts, local nonprofits and agencies are working together to fix the issue.
Six out of 3,700 students were recognized this week by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as Outstanding Graduates, including Fallon’s own Kelli Kelly, who is graduating with a master’s degree in urban leadership.

When Fallon resident Kelli Kelly walks across the stage at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center tonight to receive her master’s degree in urban leadership, she’ll do so knowing her work created real change. She’s being recognized as one of six outstanding graduates from this year’s class, finishing with a near-perfect grade-point average and an impressive roster of professional achievements. Her crowning moment came last year when the Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 352 — landmark legislation expanding cottage food sales regulations and establishing one of the first statewide frameworks for cottage cosmetics businesses in the country. The bill was Kelly’s passion project, and she’s quick to credit UNLV’s support as a driving force behind its passage.

Reno and Las Vegas have again topped the list of the nation’s fastest-warming cities, according to an annual Earth Day analysis of temperatures since 1970. Climate Central, an independent nonprofit made up of scientists, says the average annual temperatures of Reno and Las Vegas have risen 7.9 and 6 degrees, respectively, during that period. It’s a challenge as those cities work to prevent heat-related deaths by increasing tree canopy, shade in public spaces and designated cooling centers.
For a project billing itself as “express public transportation,” little about The Boring Company’s proposed Music City Loop follows the traditional playbook. State officials, including Gov. Bill Lee, have promoted the tunneling project as fast, privately financed and built without taxpayer dollars. Critics argue that the framing may be misleading and question whether the proposed Loop project functions as public transit at all.
An image showing dozens of private jets clustered at a Las Vegas airport was shared in the r/vegaslocals subreddit recently, quickly catching attention as users tried to make sense of the sudden surge in luxury air traffic. The post asked, "Why so many private jets? What's going on in the city?" Commenters agreed that a crowd of private jets could mean a major conference, high-profile sporting event, or entertainment event was drawing wealthy visitors into town.
Public Policy and Leadership Experts